Agave fructans: a review of their technological functionality and extraction processes.

Fructans are a polydisperse mixture of fructose polymers generally bound to a glucose molecule, in recent years, interest in their use has grown, either as a potential ingredient in functional foods or for their technological properties. The diversity of its applications lies in its structure and origin. Until now, the scientific approach has been more focused on inulin-type fructans and not so much on the effect of those of mixed branched structure as agave fructans.

Comparative study of four extraction methods of fructans (agavins) from Agave durangensis: Heat treatment, ultrasound, microwave and simultaneous ultrasound-microwave.

Agavins (fructans from the agave plant) are used for their technological and prebiotic properties in developing functional foods. In this study, four extraction methods were evaluated: ultrasound (U), microwave (M), simultaneous ultrasound-microwave (UM), and heat treatment (HT). Isomers with a degree of polymerization (DP) > 10, as well as a significant concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were identified.

Natural pigments of plant origin: Classification, extraction and application in foods.

Color is the first attribute that influences the acceptance of foods as they become more attractive to consumers when they are more intense and uniform. In recent years, the interest of producers and consumers in purchasing products containing natural ingredients have constantly increased. Natural pigments are commonly extracted from fruits and vegetables, and have been proven to provide health benefits to reduce the risk of diseases such as type-1 diabetes, obesity, and coronary diseases.

Vegetable oils as green solvents for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber) byproducts: Optimization of extraction parameters.

Pumpkin pulp is the main waste generated by pumpkin seed growers. This agro-industrial waste is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, and lutein), which exhibit a broad spectrum of health-promoting effects. In this study, vegetable oils (canola, corn, and soybean oil) were used as green solvent alternatives to conventional organic solvents for carotenoid extraction from dried pumpkin pulp (DPP) waste.

Effect of ultrasound and steam treatments on bioaccessibility of β-carotene and physicochemical parameters in orange-fleshed sweet potato juice.

Several health benefits have been associated to orange-fleshed sweet potato owing to the existence of various bioactive compounds, including β-carotene. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of ultrasound and steam treatment on the bioaccessibility of β-carotene, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase activity, and color in the orange-fleshed sweet potato juice. Sweet potato juice was processed using ultrasound (0.

Synbiotics: a technological approach in food applications.

The purpose of the present review is to explore the research about synbiotic food diversity, as well as the probiotics and prebiotics concentration used there in, and the different tests that this type of food is subjected to. The interaction probiotic-prebiotic-food is complex. The role of probiotics is clear, but the role of prebiotics is variable, as they are used for different purposes.

Utilization of Agave durangensis leaves by Bacillus cereus 4N for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis.

Lignocellulosic wastes may provide a means to economize polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production. This study has proposed the use of Agave durangensis leaves obtained from the artisanal mezcal industry as a novel substrate for this aim. Results revealed an increase in PHB biosynthesis (0.

Changes in the microstructural, textural, thermal and sensory properties of apple leathers containing added agavins and inulin.

In this study the effect of agavin and inulin addition on the microstructural, textural, thermal and sensory properties of apple leathers was investigated. Agavins and inulin were added to leathers at two concentration levels (6 and 4%) individually and as a mixture. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed more compact and less porous matrices in the 6% concentration with respect to the control, influencing leather texture.

Effect of ultrasound pre-treatment on the physicochemical composition of Agave durangensis leaves and potential enzyme production.

Approximately 1 million tons of agave plants are processed annually by the Mexican tequila and mezcal industry, generating vast amounts of agroindustrial solid waste. This type of lignocellulosic biomass is considered to be agroindustrial residue, which can be used to produce enzymes, giving it added value. However, the structure of lignocellulosic biomass makes it highly recalcitrant, and results in relatively low yield when used in its native form.

Husk Tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.) Waste as a Promising Source of Pectin: Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization.

Husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot. var. Rendidora) waste was evaluated as a source of specialized pectin, and pectin extracted from this waste was characterized physicochemically.

Effect of pre-treatment on physicochemical and structural properties, and the bioaccessibility of β-carotene in sweet potato flour.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of microwave or steam pre-treatment of raw sweet potato on physicochemical and microstructural properties, and the bioaccessibility of β-carotene in sweet potato flour. This is the first report on using the in vitro digestion model suitable for food, as proposed in a consensus paper, to assess the bioaccessibility of β-carotene in sweet potato flour. The pre-treatments produced a rearrangement of the flour matrix (starch, protein and non-starch polysaccharides), which was greater by using microwaves (M6) conducting to a greater increase in the phase transition temperatures up to 4.

Effect of sourdough on quality and acceptability of wheat flour tortillas.

As an alternative on the search for functional food products, this study evaluated the use of sourdough in the preparation of wheat flour tortillas. The sourdough was elaborated with Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and the wheat flour tortillas were prepared with different concentrations of mother sponge (5%, 15%, and 25%) and fermentation times (1 and 3 h) at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C). Quality (diameter, height, color, pH, stretchability scores, and Kramer shear cell results) of wheat tortillas was evaluated after 24 h of preparation.

Effect of high-pressure homogenization on the physical and antioxidant properties of Quercus resinosa infusions encapsulated by spray-drying.

Quercus resinosa leaves are used in northern Mexico as a refreshing beverage rich in polyphenolic compounds. These leaves show astringency and hence need taste masking for incorporating in a food product. They also interact with many other food components and are not very stable to food processing environments, thus it is important to protect them and a common way is by encapsulation.